New Technology Enables a New Level of Accuracy and Reproducibility for Total Knee Replacement Surgery

Tampa, FL. (December 14, 2016) – Florida Orthopaedic Institute surgeon Dr. Kenneth Gustke is the first to perform a total knee replacement surgery using the Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery System in Tampa. The Mako system is a surgeon-controlled robotic arm technology that enables accurate alignment and placement of implants.

The Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery System will reside at Tampa General Hospital where Dr. Gustke will perform knee replacement surgeries among others. Prior to a knee replacement procedure, the Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery System will create a patient-specific 3-Dmodel to pre-plan the knee replacement. During surgery, Dr. Gustke guides the Mako robotic-arm based on the patient-specific plan. This allows for the removal of only the diseased bone, preserving healthy bone and soft tissue, and assists in positioning the implant based on the patient’s anatomy.

“Just as unique as every patient is, so is their knee replacement. This new system developed by Mako personalizes the approach and execution of the surgery catering specifically to the individual patient’s needs.” said Dr. Gustke, a founding member of Florida Orthopaedic Institute. “By sparing more of the healthy bone and ligaments in the knee, it allows for quicker recovery and the likelihood of fewer issues for the patient once fully rehabilitated.”

About Dr. Kenneth Gustke

Dr. Gustke is renowned on the national and international level for his pioneering efforts in joint replacement surgery implant design and surgical technique. He is the co-designer of eight total hip replacement implants and a complete total knee replacement system which includes four different types of total knee implants. His implants have been implanted by other surgeons in hundreds of thousands of patients worldwide. He also holds three patents on hip replacement design. Dr. Gustke has been a primary developer of muscle sparing minimally invasive knee and hip replacement surgical techniques.

January 9, 2017